An unsent letter.....

Dearest Sinu Mama,

Father is a girl's first love or hero as they say. For me, it was not my dad but my uncle. A little more than a dad, a little more than a hero. Yes, my maternal uncle. We all have a special bonding with that mama of ours, don't we? And mine was a bit extra special to me.

Unlike all maternal uncles who do that extra bit of pampering, you were strict with us. On hearing your Yezdi at the corner of the street, we would jump to pick our homework books and sit in our respective spots. As the first grandchild of the family, I had that special first privileges here as well. Off everyone, I was the only one who could muster a bit of courage to act as a representative of the younger ones.

You know mama, your anger scared me at times. But the fierceness of my thoughts date back to those growing up years. Those years when I saw you fight. Fight each day..I cannot even count the number of incidents that you have fought for. I wish I inherited that fighting spirit of yours more than I have.

I remember that day in my teens when I said, "I am scared" and you asked me  "Why?" That event unfolds in front of my eyes even after eighteen years. Till date whenever fear envelopes me, that one 'Why' haunts me to find reasons.

If not for you, who would have attended all the parent-teacher meetings in our school? Who would prepare those long essays for my elocution competitions? I know I had been a tough kid to handle. Thank you for all your patience and perseverance in trying to bring out the best in me. I do not want to make this sound like a thank you letter. There are no thank yous between a father and a daughter right? Yet, I can't fail to express the value of freedom you have given me in each choice I made in life.

My nature of bending over backwards for the people in my life is the biggest asset I have gained and learned from you over years. If there is anyone and anything to count on in the hardest moment of my life, it would be you.

Now you are on the path of spirituality and trying to make me walk along with you. I fail miserably even to take baby steps when you want me to do a brisk walk. Like everything else, I believe you will hold my hand and get me there one day.

I miss your quirky wit, your self deprecating and laugh at life sense of humor; above all your practical jokes. :D

Thank you for all the unconditional love you have given us all these years. You never failed to leave an imprint on every walk of my life. You are a true blessing to have!!

I just realised that I hardly have any pics with you and this one remains to hold a special place in my heart.

A Very Happy Birthday to you!!!